Solar heater



2 sheets-sheet 1 gmc/Wto@ d: [far/mess DIU l 1 Tl Q w, J. HARKNEss SOLAR HEATER Filed sept. 22. 1944 June 18, 1946.

June 18, 1946. A w, J, HARKNESS 2,402,326

SQLAR HEATER Filed sept. 22,'1944 2 sheets-sheet 2 Patented June 18, 1946 UNITED STATES, PATENT ori-ica Wuuamsflirkrnml, F1a.

1 enfin. (calze-zn) The present invention appertains to'new and useful improvements in solar heaters such as are used in tropical areas for the heating of mater.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a solar heater especially designed to be set up on a lot or other piece of ground rather than on a roof or building top where the same is ordinarily inaccessible for the purpose of repairs, replacements, etc. r

Another important object of the invention is to provide an attractive appearing solar heater, constructed to be placed on the ground where it can be easily reached for the purpose of cleaning, adjustment, and for various other purposes.

Still another important object of the invention is to provide a solar heater of the character described wherein the various parts are readily demountable so that in a short time interval the structure can be changed from one place to another as requirements may zdemand.

A further object of the invention is to provide a solar heater which, because of its demountability, is capable of being shipped in a compact small space-occupying shipment.'4

Various other important objects and aclvan tages of the invention shall become apparent to the reader of the following description.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a side elevational view of the apparatus with certain parts in section.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary enlarged vertical sectional vfiew through the heater.

Figure 3 is a top plan view of one of the spirally grooved coil-containing plates.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on the line 4--4 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a side elevational view. of the metal cover with a portion broken away.

Referring to the drawings, wherein like numerals designate like parts, it can be seen that, in Figure 1, numeral 5 generally refers to the improved heater, while numeral 6 generally refers to a tank.

The heater 5 consists of an annular shell 1 inside of which are vertical legs 8 supporting a steel platform 9 having an upstanding circumferential wall I0. Upon this platform 9 is a heavy wooden door II and upon this is a covering I2 of insulation which also extends up the inner side of the side wall I0. l

A vertically disposed and cylindrical water receiver I3 extends upwardly through the platform 3, floor I I and covering I2 and this water receiver has a jacket I4 offinsulation. On the Wooden door I I is anannular plate I5 circumscribing-the water receiver I3 and its insulation I4 and resting on this is a sectional clamp I6 for embracing the water receiver I3 and its insulation I4 to hold these parts supported in the position shown in fFigure 2.

The lower end of the receiver I3' has a closure plate I1 secured in place by machine screws I8 and extending upwardly from this closure plate I1 and to a substantially high point in the water receiver I3 are electric heating units I9. Current supply wires 20 extend to these heating units I9, :as clearly shown in Figure 2.

The insulation I4 extends to the top of the water receiver I3 where a hot water pipe 2I connects thereto, the same being threadedly disposed into an internally threaded boss 22 on the upper end of the receiver I3. I

Extending upwardly from the lower portions of the upstanding edge portions of the covering I2 of insulation there is a frusto-conical-shaped body 23 of insulation, the upper portion'of which is open to snugly receive the insulating cover I4 of the water receiver I3.

Two frusto-conical-shaped plates 24, 25 are disposed one upon the other and upon the frustoconical-shaped body 23, each of these plates 24,

25 being formed with a spiral grooveway 26 extending from an opening 21 adjacent its periphery to a point adjacent the opentop of the plate.

Disposed in the grooves of the plates 24, 25 are copper tubes 28, 29, respectively. The lower ends .of the copper tubes 28, 29 have depending extensions 30, 3 I, respectively, which are joined together, as at 32, toconnect to a shut-off valve 33, which in turn is connected with a water supply pipe 34. This pipe 34 is connected with the water receiver I3, as at 35, and between this connection 35 and the shut-off valve 33 is a cut-oir valve 36, which is utilized when the heating elements I9 are not in use. As shown in Figure l, a drain cock 31 may be employed for the heater.

The upper ends of the coils 28, 29 have upward extensions 38, 39, respectively, which are threadedly disposed into the upper portion of the Water receiver I3, thus placing the coils 28, 29 in communication with the receiver'l3.

A resilient collar 40 is provided aroundy the upper portion of the water receiver I3 and its cover I4 and this has a circumferentially dis. posed and inclined slot for the snug reception of the upper edge of a frusto-conical-shaped glass In the event that the heater is to be out of use for some period of time, a cover generally referred to by the numeral 43 and of some suitable metal may be used to cover the glass dome 4I. The cover 43 is of frusto-conical-shape and is made up oi' sections 44, 45, hinged together. as at 43.

'I'he cold water supply pipe 34 extends from the bottom portion of the tank 3, while the hot water pipe 2l from the top of the heater I extends to the upper portion of the tank 3, and this pipe 2| preferably has a covering 41 of some heat insulating material.

The tank 8 consists of an outer shell 4l and a lining 49 of some heating insulating material. To ventllate the material 49, upper and lower Ventilating roofs In, Il are employed.

Numeral 52 denotes a cold water inlet pipe which extends upwardly in the insulating material 49 and then downwardly tc terminate adjacent the lower portion of the tank, as at I3.

Connected to the top of the tank 3 is a hot water pipe 54 which extends downwardly through the insulation 49 and extends outside adjacent the lower portion of the tank, thus utilizing that much of the pipe to assist in heating the corresponding amount of the cold water pipe 52.

It can now be seen that when the cover 43 is oil of the glass dome 4|. the valve 38 closed and the valve 33 open and with water in the tank 3, the heating of the tubes 23, 38 by sun rays passing through the glass dome 4i will serve to heat waterA in these tubes 28. 28 which of course will rise, and as this water rises, cool water taking its place During inclement weather. where for some reason the tubes 23, 20 must be removed. yet hot wateris required, then the valve 33 can be closed and the valve 33 opened and electricity supplied to the heating units I3. Thus, water will be sup- -plied to the water receiver i3, therein heated and invention in speciiic terms, it is to be understood will also become heated and in this manner a and the tank 6.

that numerous changes in the shape, size and materials may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed hereinafter.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

A solar heater comprising a base structure, a frusto-conical-shaped support on the base structure, said frusto-conical-shaped support being formed with a spiral grooveway on its upper surface, a water heating tube disposed in said grooveway, a water receiver extending upwardly through the top of the frusta-conical-shaped support, to which the upper end of the tube is connected, a water supply pipe having a connection to the lower end of the tube, an outlet pipe on the upper end of the water receiver, and a glass cover of frusta-conical shape disposed over the said frustoconical-shaped support and tube.

WILLIAMJ. HARKNEBB. 

